Eyes on the Sky—Northern Lights Could Appear in New York

Look up! The Northern Light may light up the New York sky.

Scientists at the Space Weather Prediction Center are forecasting a strong geomagnetic storm, rated G3, for Tuesday, December 9.

What does this mean for folks in New York? If the skies are clear after dark, you might be lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights dancing above.

Usually, the aurora borealis sticks closer to Alaska or northern Minnesota. This storm is powerful enough that it could reach as far south as New York, making it visible across the Empire State — from the Adirondacks to the Finger Lakes, and maybe even down to parts of the Hudson Valley.

What Makes Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are caused by the interaction between the sun’s solar winds and the Earth’s magnetic field.

READ MORE: NY Photographer Captures Northern Lights in Dazzling Time-Lapse Video

The best time to see the lights is usually within an hour or two of midnight. So, sometime between 10 PM and 2 AM.

The Space Weather Prediction Center suggests finding a dark place away from city lights to see the prism of floating color.

When to See the Lights

Charles Deehr, a professor emeritus and aurora forecaster at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute, says you'll need a little patience if you want to see the Aurora Borealis.

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If the activity is high, the lights can last about half an hour and occur every two hours.

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Latest Northern Lights Forecast

Meteorologists say the chances are good, and with the storm forecasted to be unusually strong, it’s a rare opportunity for New Yorkers to see the sky light up in green, pink, and purple.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature looks like she won't cooperate in New York again. Every time there's the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights, it's cloudy.

We can't ever have nice things in the Empire State.